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Asked: 2024-09-25T23:10:14+05:30 In:

How can I measure the execution duration of a command in milliseconds on Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into some command-line work on my Ubuntu system, and I keep running into this need to figure out how long certain commands are taking to execute. I know there are various ways of tracking execution time, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it in milliseconds.

So, here’s what I’m trying to do: I want to measure the execution duration of a specific command, let’s say `find / -name “*.txt”`, for example. I’ve heard of the `time` command, which seems to be a common method, but all I can see is the output in seconds. I know that might be fine, but when I want to really fine-tune something or analyze performance, milliseconds would give me much more insight.

Also, I’m curious about how precise the measurements can actually get. Is there a built-in tool that would let me capture this kind of data without having to throw together some complicated scripts? Or maybe there’s a simple trick to modify the output of the `time` command to give me that millisecond precision?

And if there’s a way to do this that’s particularly user-friendly or efficient for those of us who might not be command-line wizards, that’d be great to know! I’ve tried searching online, but either the answers were super technical or didn’t quite get to the point.

I’ve also seen some mentions of using other tools like `GNU time` or even echoing the time right before and after the command, but those seem like they might muddy things up.

Any tips, tools, or simple commands that can help out would be greatly appreciated! I think getting this sorted would not only help me with my projects but could also be beneficial for others who are struggling with similar timing issues in their scripts or command-line work. Looking forward to hearing what you all think!

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    2 Answers

    1. The `time` command can indeed help you measure the execution duration of commands, and while its default display shows time in seconds, you can customize it for more precise outputs, including milliseconds. To achieve this, you can use the GNU version of the `time` command, which is often installed by default in Ubuntu. Execute your command like this: `/usr/bin/time -f ‘\nElapsed time: %E (in seconds), %e (in milliseconds)’ find / -name “*.txt”`. This will give you the elapsed time in both seconds and milliseconds, providing a clearer insight into how long your command takes to run. Make sure to check that GNU `time` is installed on your system, as the Bash built-in `time` does not support the same formatting options.

      If you prefer a simpler, more user-friendly approach, you can also make use of the `date` command along with a simple script in the terminal. For instance, you can track the time before and after your command with the following pattern: `start=$(date +%s%3N); find / -name “*.txt”; end=$(date +%s%3N); echo “Execution Time: $((end – start)) milliseconds”`. This method captures the current time in milliseconds before and after your command, allowing you to calculate the total execution time easily. This approach is effective as it doesn’t require additional installations or complex setups, making it suitable for users who may not be deeply familiar with command-line intricacies.






    2. Measuring Command Execution Time in Milliseconds on Ubuntu

      How to Measure Command Execution Time in Milliseconds

      If you’re diving into command-line work and need to measure how long commands take to execute in Ubuntu but want the precision of milliseconds, you’re in luck!

      Using the time Command

      The time command is a built-in utility that lets you see how long a command takes. By default, it shows the time in seconds, but you can tweak it to get millisecond precision!

      Basic Usage

      time find / -name "*.txt"

      Getting Milliseconds

      You can use the GNU version of time to get more detailed output. If you don’t have it installed, you might need to install it first. You can do this by running:

      sudo apt-get install coreutils

      Now, to get the output in milliseconds, use the following command:

      GNU_TIME='--format="%E"' time find / -name "*.txt"

      This will output the elapsed time. The %E format gives you the elapsed real time, which includes the hours, minutes, and seconds.

      If you want to capture and show milliseconds, you might want to use:

      format='%.3S' # seconds %Y'

      And to wrap it all up in one command with millisecond detail:

      command time -v find / -name "*.txt"

      Using Bash Timing

      Another way to do this is by using shell built-in features. Run:

      start=$(date +%s.%N); find / -name "*.txt"; end=$(date +%s.%N); echo "Execution time: $(echo "$end - $start" | bc) seconds"

      This will give you the execution time in seconds, including milliseconds.

      Wrapping Up

      As you explore these commands, you’ll get a better grasp of what’s happening under the hood. The GNU time command and the Bash method should help you achieve that millisecond precision you’re after. Don’t hesitate to play around with these options and find what works best for you. Happy timing!

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